 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1974
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
 |
There is little to be said about Noodlum's Derby win, except that is as achieved with a mnimum of effort. In front all the way, Noodlum set a moderate pace and when Freeman Holmes let his head go soon after straightening up, he went on to win by two lengths from Commissioner.
Noodlum's time for the 2600 metres was an unremarkable 3:27, Holmes rightly fulfilling his first obligations to himself and part-owner Mrs Anne Wilson by winning. A minor sprain during the week no doubt influenced Holmes to give Noodlum the easiest possible race in the Derby, rather than seek un-nessary glory by 'killing' the opposition, as he could have done.
Commisioner tracked Noodlum all the way and held second easily by a length and a quarter from the maiden In Or Out, who finished stoutly for third. Steven Stock, who raced without a trail all the way, battled on for fourth two and a half lengths back with a similar margin to Chief Eagle and four lengths to Corona Gold.
Noodlum has now won 20 races from 23 starts and his Derby victory took his winning sequence to 15. His stake earnings now stand at an amazing $39,732.50, $650 of this going to Mrs Wilson as nominator of the Derby winner. He has started eight times this season for as many wins, and his stake-earnings as a three-year-old stand at $16,570, the other $23,162.50 being earned last season.
Credit: 'Lookout' writing in NZ Trotguide